Spinal Stenosis
Living with spinal stenosis can mean constant discomfort, limited mobility, and the frustrating feeling that your body is working against you. Dr. Brandon McCutcheon and the team at Premier Neurosurgery are here to help you understand exactly what is happening in your spine, and more importantly, what you can do about it.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, the bony tunnel that runs through your vertebrae and houses your spinal cord and nerve roots. When this canal becomes too tight, the spinal cord and nerves become compressed, leading to a wide range of symptoms that affect how you feel and how you move. It can occur in the neck (cervical stenosis), the upper back (thoracic stenosis), or most commonly, the lower back (lumbar stenosis).
While spinal stenosis can be congenital, meaning some people are simply born with a narrower canal, the vast majority of cases gradually develop over time as a result of aging and wear on the spine. It is one of the most common reasons adults over 50 seek spine care, and it is highly treatable.
What Causes Spinal Stenosis?
As the spine ages, several changes can contribute to narrowing of the spinal canal. The discs between vertebrae can lose height and bulge outward. Joints in the spine, called facet joints, can develop osteoarthritis and produce bone spurs. Ligaments within the spinal canal can thicken and buckle inward. Any one of these factors can narrow the canal, and often a combination of them reduces the space available for your spinal cord and nerves.
Less commonly, spinal stenosis can be caused by trauma, tumors, or conditions like Paget's disease. That is why a thorough evaluation is so important. Understanding exactly what is driving your stenosis is the foundation for choosing the right treatment plan.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending on where the narrowing occurs and which nerves are affected. Many patients describe their symptoms as developing slowly over months or years. Others recall occasional discomfort gradually worsening.
In lumbar spinal stenosis, the most common symptoms include pain, cramping, or aching in the lower back and legs, often described as heaviness or fatigue in the legs. Pain may radiate into the buttocks, thighs, or calves, and difficulty standing or walking for extended periods. Many patients notice that sitting or leaning forward provides temporary relief. This is because flexing the lumbar spine creates a bit more room in the spinal canal.
Cervical spinal stenosis, affecting the neck, can produce symptoms in the arms, hands, and upper body, including numbness, tingling, weakness, clumsiness, or a loss of fine motor control. In more advanced cases, cervical stenosis can compress the spinal cord itself. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important not to wait. Spinal cord compression in the neck can worsen over time and require more invasive intervention.
Diagnosis at Premier Neurosurgery
Diagnosing spinal stenosis begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Dr. McCutcheon will ask about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and how they are impacting your daily life. He will also perform a neurological exam to assess your strength, reflexes, sensation, and range of motion.
From there, imaging studies are used to confirm the diagnosis and pinpoint exactly where the compression is occurring. MRI is the gold standard for evaluating spinal stenosis, as it provides detailed images of the spinal cord, nerve roots, discs, and soft tissues. In some cases, CT scans or X-rays may also be used to assess bony anatomy or spinal alignment.
Once we have a clear picture of what is happening in your spine, we can discuss your options and build a treatment plan tailored to your goals.
Ready to Find Relief?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. McCutcheon to discuss your spinal stenosis and explore treatment options tailored to your needs.